The Violet Line

by Bilinda Ni Siodacain

  “What have you done, Jade? I leave you alone for five bloody minutes and all this happens. This wound looks fresh; when did you get it? Well answer me, because I’m the one that’s going to get all the blame when she sees you like this. Jesus, Jade, what do you be thinking? Seriously, what runs through that head of yours? Because honestly I’m starting to think it’s filled with nothing but air.”

  His words ran together as he spoke, not allowing me to give him an answer. I pulled away from him and wrapped a scarf around my neck, covering the two little marks. Finally, I turned back to him.

  “It happened this morning. The vampire I was trying to get information on, his name is Graham; remember Aidan gave me the note from him? Well, I met him and this is what happened but I’m still here, so will you please stop the lecturing and tell me where we have to go?”

  He sat open mouthed staring at me as though I had two heads. “You went to talk to him without asking for help? It really is filled with air, isn’t it? Well I hope it was worth it and that, at the very least, he’s dead.” He paused and watched my face carefully before speaking. “Jade, please tell me he is dead and not wandering around out there looking for you.”

  I looked down at my lap as I answered sheepishly, “Well, I don’t know if he’s out there looking for me exactly…”

  “Oh for god’s sake, Jade, why didn’t you kill him? He bit you. Didn’t you want to kill him? I know I would have. Did you clean it? Because I knew this one fairy that got bitten; although he might have been bitten by a dog, I’m not too sure. Anyway it became infected and…”

  I held up my hands. “Stop. Of course I cleaned it. And yes, I wanted to kill him and I used my gift to get away, but you know I’m not Buffy; I’m not exactly proficient in the art of killing vampires. I tend to shy away from it. I’m sorry if it seemed like a stupid move to you, Mr. Perfect At Everything He Does Who Knows An Anecdote To Go With Every Occasion, but I’m desperate. I’ll do anything, go anywhere, get bitten by multiple vampires and dogs and whatever else comes my way, if it means I can find Sam. Now, will you please tell me where exactly I’m driving to or I’ll find my own way there without your help.”

  He sat silent for a couple of seconds before sulkily folding his arms. He reminded me of a petulant child. “Fine, you follow the main road out of here, the one for Dublin. I’ll tell you when to turn off.”

  “At last,” I muttered to myself before starting up the car. I drove on auto-pilot, following the road from the city. Lorcan sat beside me with his arms folded and his eyes closed; I would have believed he might have fallen asleep had it not been for the sighs that escaped him every now and again. It was the quietest he had ever been in my presence and I began to feel bad for my outburst at him when he got into the car. He was looking out for my interests and he was also right about the things he had said. I wondered if should I apologise and the sigh he released this time was louder than the others; I knew he was desperate to talk.

  “Look, Lorcan, I’m sorry; I just feel tired and really frustrated. I seem to be going in circles lately and then to have you sit there and tell me off for something I already knew was wrong; well, let’s just say my ego has taken a battering lately. I’m not sure how much I can take. I’m starting to wish they would just find me; maybe then I’d start getting somewhere.”

  He looked at me in horror. “I’d tell you where you would get; you’d be dead and that would be it! Did you really mean it when you said that stuff about me? You know I don’t mean to be so… well, you know.” He gestured wildly, as if searching for the perfect word.

  “Irritating?” I volunteered and his face became sulky once more. It didn’t suit him and I couldn’t help the laughter that burst forth from my mouth.

  “Fine, you laugh, but you won’t be laughing if I glamour you into a-a-a signpost,” he said, seizing the first word that popped into his head.

  “Lorcan, did you just say that because you saw a signpost and couldn’t think of anything better to say?” I talked through my laughter, trying desperately not to tear up too much or I wouldn’t be fit to drive anymore. I hadn’t laughed like this since Sam left and it felt nice; it felt free. Lorcan began to laugh, too, at the ridiculousness of his statement. His laugh was rich and powerful; it filled the car and me with a feeling of joy. It was contagious and the two of us laughed until I was forced to pull onto the hard shoulder so I wouldn’t crash.

  Eventually, I began to calm down and catch my breath once more. I gulped down a lungful of air as we sat there. The city landscape had given way to lush green countryside. The setting sun turned everything a rich autumnal russet amber; out here, everything glowed. I looked over at him and he caught me studying him. He flushed crimson at the force of my stare.

  “Lorcan, can I ask you something? I don’t want you to take offence or anything; just put it down to me being too caught up in everything that’s going on. Can I ask you what exactly are you? Because I’m pretty sure it’d be impossible for you to be human.” I waited, trying to gauge his reaction to my question. I really hoped I hadn’t upset him but he simply smiled at me, the flush slowly leaving his cheeks.

  “Well, I thought you’d never ask; we can’t tell unless we’re asked directly. You know, one of those silly rules, but when we are asked we have to answer with the truth. So in answer to your question, I have one for you. Do you believe in fairies, Jade?”

  I gaped at him. “I do, but you’re a fairy? I always thought they were dainty and well, fairy, like, you know?” I couldn’t contain my surprise it filled my voice and I knew my face showed just how surprised I was.

  “Not at all, Jade. Me; a fairy?” Lorcan began laughing again. “Can you see me with wings? Do you really think I’d get off the ground? That’s the best one I’ve heard; I can’t wait to tell Seamus. No, Jade, I’m not a fairy, but I’m sure you can guess what I am. I was just simply wondering if you believe in fairies; just makes my job easier.”

  It sounded as though he was about to go completely off track and I couldn’t hold off my curiosity any longer.

  “Lorcan, tell me what you are and stop side stepping the question.” I tried to keep my voice as nice as possible but I couldn’t keep all the impatience from edging into it.

  “Fine. Jesus, woman, keep your knickers on!” He blushed scarlet at his statement. “Oh Jade, I’m sorry. Don’t tell my mother I said that; she’ll give me such a clip.”

  My look was filled with warning. “Lorcan.” And then I decided to try another tactic. “Please tell me?”

  “Alright, but promise you won’t laugh?” His voice sounded worried.

  “Don’t you have to tell me anyway?”

  “Yes, but I’d prefer if you promised not to laugh first.”

  “I promise I won’t,” I reassured him. He seemed genuinely concerned about his revelation. What could be so bad that he was this worried?

  “Well,” he sighed and sucked in a large breath before speaking in a long gush. “I’m a leprechaun. I know that seems totally mad, but it’s true. It’s what I am.”

  I sat in silence, simply staring at this 6’7 guy sitting in my car, and then I burst out laughing. I couldn’t help myself; it was completely ridiculous. His face fell at the sound of my laughter and he turned away from me.

  “You said you wouldn’t laugh; you promised,” he reminded me, his voice low. I stopped then, shock washing over me. He was being serious; he was actually telling the truth. Reaching over, I touched his shoulder.

  “Lorcan, I’m not laughing at that; I was laughing because I didn’t think you were being serious. I mean, I’ve never met one of your kind before and well, I kind of looked at the images that represent a leprechaun; I’ve always believed that was how your kind looked. I wasn’t expecting a 6’7 hunk with strawberry blonde hair and a face that would make any girl’s heart melt. I’m surprised but I’m not laughing at you.”

  He turned to me then. Tears shone in his eyes and his voice was very small. “You mean it? You’re not l
aughing at me? You think I’m all those things?” He never looked at me, choosing instead to fiddle with the string from his jumper. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and give him a hug. He was adorable and vulnerable and so very young.

  “I’m actually 6’10.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “Never mind. Do you want to hear a funny story?” he asked me, his eyes shining again. I looked at him feeling skeptical, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

  “Alright, go on so.” I nodded my approval as he opened his mouth.

  “Well, it’s about where the humans got the initial idea of how we looked.” I was intrigued as he continued. “Well, as you know, the leprechauns are known to enjoy our tipple. We don’t hold back, but it’s only because we like to have a good time; not because we’re alcoholics or anything, you know? Well anyway, this goes way back. It’s sort of been passed down through the years and Tommy is a bit of a legend now. But anyway, they were all down at the pub and they thought it’d be funny to play a trick on any of the people who’d be making their way back from a night in their pubs. So, Tommy and Patrick and a few other fellas hid behind one of the ditches. It was Tommy who did it. He glamoured himself to look like a man of one foot five inches in height and decided to wear a green coat and he owned the black buckled shoes himself – that bit is true at least. Well, he sat on the side of the road lamenting a pot of gold he had misplaced. You should have heard the screeching from the people who saw him. They didn’t know what he was but he told them he was a leprechaun and ever since then, people have decided we look that way. At least it allows us some freedom; it means we can come and go and the people never suspect. Of course you get the odd few, but they’re few and far between. The only thing we do have to do is wear contacts all the time we spend in your world. We have to on account of our eye colour; it’s far too noticeable.”

  I looked at him. “Are you wearing contacts now?” I asked, not really being able to tell.

  “Yup. Want to see my real eye colour?” he asked, looking hopeful. “I hate wearing contacts. It’d be nice to get them out; I’ve spent too long with them in and they do itch.” He leaned forward and slowly popped each small green disc into the palm of his hands and then looked back at me. I sat back in my seat; his eyes were an acid green. I had never seen anything like it before in my life and I wasn’t expecting it. The lights from a passing car caught his eyes and they glowed even brighter under the glare, reflecting the light just like a deer’s.

  “See,” he said watching me. I was speechless, but not surprised he was forced to wear contacts; with eyes like that, he’d stand out in crowd immediately. It was distracting and gave him an altogether otherworldly presence that wasn’t there before.

  “I’m not surprised you have to wear those,” I said, pointing to the contacts in his hand. “Do you all have eyes like that?”

  “Pretty much; just sometimes they vary in intensity. Like the leprechaun kings eyes are ‘wow.’ He can’t even wear contacts to cover his. It doesn’t work; they’re just that bright and his glow in the dark. It’s said he can provide light bright enough to fill the banquet hall in the castle. I’m pretty sure that’s just a myth though, but they are bright. Mine glow a little bit in the dark, but they don’t light the place up or anything.” His voice seemed disappointed with this thought. A thought occurred to me then.

  “You know, you could always go to a nightclub with no contacts in.”

  “I have.” He smiled. “But I’m still a bit obvious; you know, it’s the whole package and then the eyes just tip it over the edge. We should probably keep going; she’s going to wonder what held us up and we don’t have too far left to go.”

  I nodded. “I suppose I just have so many questions; I really never knew.”

  Flicking the indicator, I pulled the car back onto the road, travelling in the direction he had indicated to me. We sat in silence for another few moments. I was trying hard to digest all the information he had told me. I felt pretty naive for not believing him in the first place. Really I shouldn’t have any reason to disbelieve anything anymore; if I could accept vampires so readily without question, then why not Leprechauns? Sometimes I perplexed even myself.

  “At the next right turn, take it and then it’s a left after that, ok?”

  I concentrated hard on the road. It had grown dark and even with the lights on, some of the country roads signs were pretty obscure. Eventually I made it through all my turns. Turning off the main road, the car bumped along over the broken road and the last remnants of the darkening sky were quickly blocked out by the archway of trees that stretched their limbs overhead.

  “Do you know much about your aunt?” His question took me by surprise and I thought about my answer for a while before I spoke.

  “My mother often talked of the sister who had disappeared and hadn’t been seen in years. She always told me how she had read tea leaves and tarot cards, you know? Your usual run of the mill fortune teller except there was always a strange rumour that was often whispered about amongst the family, or at least that was what my mom said. I think she was very protective of her sister; even though she’s younger, I just always had that feeling that she behaved more like the older sister in some ways.

  “Anyway, the family said that they thought that she could touch people and read into their souls. She could see past lives and future events. Of course that was always just a rumour; nobody really believed it and they tended not to interfere too much and well, she had seemed happy enough. She did readings for people; they came to the house to see her and she’d do tarot or whatever they wanted and then they’d pay her. She was really well liked in the town, my mom said; everyone always commented on happy she was and outgoing in her own way. Well, at least until one particularly strange client.”

  Lorcan simply sat listening. He didn’t interfere but I could feel his eyes on me as I talked and drove.

  “After his visit, she had become more and more distant and withdrawn. For weeks, she stayed in her room; nobody knew what was wrong. I know mom feels terrible about that time; she always seemed to blame herself. Anyway, she stayed locked in her room until one day a note was found scribbled in her handwriting, signed by her and left on the kitchen table. In it, she said she was gone to a better place and not to look for her. I know my mother kept the note. She wouldn’t show it to me but, well, I did go looking for it after she told me the story, it’s how I know she has it.” I smiled sheepishly. “I was pretty young at the time and I’m sure mom knew I had looked at it. Anyway, on with the story. Many of the family assumed after finding the note that she had committed suicide, but my mother refused to believe her sister was capable of that. My mother was twelve when her sister of eighteen had disappeared. My mom told me that story hundreds of times and until now, I had always dismissed it as my mom’s way of dealing with what happened to her sister.

  “Well, that was until now. That was all she told me until I talked to her the other night on the phone, after you told me about my aunt. Then she told me that one morning when she woke, she found writing on her window. In the fog was a message written from her sister telling her that if she ever needed her help to write her message on the mirror and she would find the reply on the window glass. I never knew anything of this until recently; I think it was supposed to be kept as a secret.

  “I guess my aunt must be watching out for me because now she wants to meet, right when I need some sort of help. I mean, my gift seems to be growing wildly out of control and I don’t think I can keep up with all the new changes. I don’t know if my body can keep up with all the new changes; not that I haven’t been grateful for them. I mean they have gotten me out of some awful scrapes, but now; I just don’t know how much more I can handle right now. Do you think maybe they’re advancing because Aunt Emily wanted to contact me, or that she’s some sort of key to my power?”

  I think my question must have caught Lorcan unawares because I could see him tense up out of the corner of my eye.<
br />
  “Why would you think that? I mean, Jade, I think really these are all questions for her to answer; wouldn’t you agree?”

  “I suppose so.”

  It seemed Lorcan was going to be just as cryptic as Aunt Emily. As well as unconventional, I thought. I navigated the car around another sharp turn on the road before Lorcan pointed out a smaller turning in towards a small clearing surrounded by trees.

  “Well, just another bit further now; we’re nearly there.” He smiled happily as he waited for me to park before jumping out stretching as he straightened his frame. Switching off the car, I looked at the entrance to the wooded area he had brought me to. I pulled my coat in tight against my body and stepped out.

  The woodland path stretched into the trees and darkness swallowed it up. It made me nervous to see how dense the trees were and a small niggle of doubt entered my mind. Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea but I had to follow this through or I’d never find anything out. My aunt had sent Lorcan to meet me, so she trusted him. I slowly began the walk into the woods, following closely on Lorcan’s heels. I did not want to get separated from him; becoming lost in a place like this did not seem like a good idea.

  Inky blackness fell about us like a cloak; it was so thick I could almost feel it. As I moved forward, it felt as though I created little ripples out from my body through the black; it instantly reminded me of a programme I had watched about spiders on their webs and how they catch their prey. I shivered a little when I realised that if this was the web, then I was the prey and the spider was lurking out there waiting for me. Lorcan moved effortlessly through the thickening darkness, stopping every now and then to wait for me to catch up. Panic welled up within me as the blackness thickened around me. I tried to move faster to keep pace with him, but it clung around my legs and body, pulling at me. I was barely moving now and Lorcan stopped when he realised I wasn’t directly behind him. The more I tried to force my way forward, the tighter the darkness wrapped itself around me. I opened my mouth to speak but the blackness poured down my throat as I tried to suck in more air, cutting off the scream that was building within me. I grabbed out at his arm, flailing wildly, but the blackness swirled all around me and I never really noticed when I slipped into darkness and passed out.